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The Moonsingers: A Cozy Fairy Tale
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22 days and 01:08:59
25 copies available
U.S. only
In a quiet glen beyond the reach of the railway lives a peculiar family who knows the best magic is the kind found in ordinary moments.
When Ismay Gebhardt is dismissed from yet another teaching post after an unfortunate accident (which everyone survived!), she accepts a last-chance job as a private tutor in sleepy Glenmaidens village. The town is brimming with natural beauty, uncanny traditions, and earnest locals, none more unusual than her three young pupils—the Underhill sisters—and their puzzling father.
Determined to make herself useful after several catastrophic lessons with the unbiddable girls, Ismay writes to the transport bureau suggesting an extension to the train line, hoping to bring Glenmaidens into modernity. As usual, Ismay's good intentions lead to chaos with the arrival of the bureau's frustratingly thorough officer, Hamish Breck, whose railway plans threaten not only the glen's tranquility, but also the ancient oak tree at its heart. Amidst a mess of her own making, Ismay unearths Glenmaidens' enchanted the Underhills, like many villagers, are fairies who settled in the mortal world in search of a gentler life, and the oak is their only bridge back to the moonlit realm of the fantastic.
As summer heat rises, Ismay schemes with her magical neighbors to prevent the extension, each day finding herself more entangled with the charming, persistent bureaucrat. With her newfound family, the way between worlds, and her heart all at risk, Ismay must decide how much she would bargain to finally embrace the wonder and belonging she's always wished for.
When Ismay Gebhardt is dismissed from yet another teaching post after an unfortunate accident (which everyone survived!), she accepts a last-chance job as a private tutor in sleepy Glenmaidens village. The town is brimming with natural beauty, uncanny traditions, and earnest locals, none more unusual than her three young pupils—the Underhill sisters—and their puzzling father.
Determined to make herself useful after several catastrophic lessons with the unbiddable girls, Ismay writes to the transport bureau suggesting an extension to the train line, hoping to bring Glenmaidens into modernity. As usual, Ismay's good intentions lead to chaos with the arrival of the bureau's frustratingly thorough officer, Hamish Breck, whose railway plans threaten not only the glen's tranquility, but also the ancient oak tree at its heart. Amidst a mess of her own making, Ismay unearths Glenmaidens' enchanted the Underhills, like many villagers, are fairies who settled in the mortal world in search of a gentler life, and the oak is their only bridge back to the moonlit realm of the fantastic.
As summer heat rises, Ismay schemes with her magical neighbors to prevent the extension, each day finding herself more entangled with the charming, persistent bureaucrat. With her newfound family, the way between worlds, and her heart all at risk, Ismay must decide how much she would bargain to finally embrace the wonder and belonging she's always wished for.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
June 4, 2026
The Moonsingers is a cozy fantasy
FMC Ismay has had some issues in her past as a teacher, and is unable to get a job locally, so has taken a tutoring position in a far away town called Glenmaidens. She is wary, and hopes the news of her previous scandal has not reached this village. As she begins to tutor the 3 Underhill sisters, things do not go as expected. In the hopes of getting in the good graces of both the town, and helping the girls' reputation, Ismay sends a letter to the transportation bureau suggesting they extend the train into town. Much to her surprise, a Hamish Beck responds, and actually shows up to start surveying for the extension. This causes quite the series of events, as the townsfolk hurry to save the Maidenhead tree, the portal to fairyland.
I enjoyed the story overall, and I do think that others will enjoy it. The reason for my lower rating is because the writing was odd for me, and while there were a lot of things going on, the story still felt kind of slow and it was hard to get into. I felt like we needed more backstory on the fairies, and fairyland, but we got such a small glimpse, that it felt a little rushed, considering the main part of the story is trying to save the Oak tree.
I did enjoy the Underhill sisters and their different way of learning. Once Ismay knows their secret, she is able to teach them in a way that suits them, instead of trying to force them to learn in a traditional way. I think Ismay fit in perfectly with the Underhills, and the town itself, since she herself always struggled with doing things "by the book."
The unexpected budding romance between Ismay and Hamish is a fun edition to the story, since he is the man they are all trying to get rid of, what a turn of events when the forced proximity between them turns into a little something more.
I felt for Ismay, she has created this train debacle, when she was only trying to help, and is now trying to stop the man she is falling for. I enjoyed the friends that Ismay has as well, and enjoyed reading about her grow into her true self throughout this story.
thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press, Netgalley, and the author for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
"The Underhill girls, however, were a force unto themselves, driven by some mighty streak of purehearted whimsy."
"She watched the small figures ramble toward their home and squeezed her hands tight behind her back, more convinced than ever that there was something uncanny about the Underhill family—all four of them."
"A shifting out of—or into—place rippled through Ismay all evening. Morven, Weir, and Ailsa had always been her last chance. She never imagined she might be theirs as well."
"“I’m sorry for every stupid moment I wasted. I think I might’ve loved you since you said you daydream about the furniture in romance novels.”"
"Several facts were unavoidable: Here, at the margins of the country, the full moon brought something more than auspice; moreover, the Underhills were not what they seemed."
"nly later, as she gazed out her bedroom window at the still-full moon, and the rushing in her body gave way to exhaustion, did she consider that the schoolmaster had identified one truth: The girls were the same as her. They were all unbiddable."
"Still, if Ismay had learned anything during her time in the village, it was that even a very small window, when left open, could allow something marvelous to pass through."
FMC Ismay has had some issues in her past as a teacher, and is unable to get a job locally, so has taken a tutoring position in a far away town called Glenmaidens. She is wary, and hopes the news of her previous scandal has not reached this village. As she begins to tutor the 3 Underhill sisters, things do not go as expected. In the hopes of getting in the good graces of both the town, and helping the girls' reputation, Ismay sends a letter to the transportation bureau suggesting they extend the train into town. Much to her surprise, a Hamish Beck responds, and actually shows up to start surveying for the extension. This causes quite the series of events, as the townsfolk hurry to save the Maidenhead tree, the portal to fairyland.
I enjoyed the story overall, and I do think that others will enjoy it. The reason for my lower rating is because the writing was odd for me, and while there were a lot of things going on, the story still felt kind of slow and it was hard to get into. I felt like we needed more backstory on the fairies, and fairyland, but we got such a small glimpse, that it felt a little rushed, considering the main part of the story is trying to save the Oak tree.
I did enjoy the Underhill sisters and their different way of learning. Once Ismay knows their secret, she is able to teach them in a way that suits them, instead of trying to force them to learn in a traditional way. I think Ismay fit in perfectly with the Underhills, and the town itself, since she herself always struggled with doing things "by the book."
The unexpected budding romance between Ismay and Hamish is a fun edition to the story, since he is the man they are all trying to get rid of, what a turn of events when the forced proximity between them turns into a little something more.
I felt for Ismay, she has created this train debacle, when she was only trying to help, and is now trying to stop the man she is falling for. I enjoyed the friends that Ismay has as well, and enjoyed reading about her grow into her true self throughout this story.
thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press, Netgalley, and the author for a copy of this book!
Some fav quotes:
"The Underhill girls, however, were a force unto themselves, driven by some mighty streak of purehearted whimsy."
"She watched the small figures ramble toward their home and squeezed her hands tight behind her back, more convinced than ever that there was something uncanny about the Underhill family—all four of them."
"A shifting out of—or into—place rippled through Ismay all evening. Morven, Weir, and Ailsa had always been her last chance. She never imagined she might be theirs as well."
"“I’m sorry for every stupid moment I wasted. I think I might’ve loved you since you said you daydream about the furniture in romance novels.”"
"Several facts were unavoidable: Here, at the margins of the country, the full moon brought something more than auspice; moreover, the Underhills were not what they seemed."
"nly later, as she gazed out her bedroom window at the still-full moon, and the rushing in her body gave way to exhaustion, did she consider that the schoolmaster had identified one truth: The girls were the same as her. They were all unbiddable."
"Still, if Ismay had learned anything during her time in the village, it was that even a very small window, when left open, could allow something marvelous to pass through."
Did Not Finish
June 2, 2026This was unfortunately a dnf at 40%
Ismay moves to a small town after running away from her past job to teach to three sisters. However things at her new workplace are not as they seem and the girls are not as easy to teach as they first seemed. On top of that Ismay decided to contact the transport bureau to make sure that the train connects with the small town as well. Was that a wise choice?
The premise of this book sounded so good. I love cozy fantasy, small towns and I was really interested to find out the real nature of the Glenn and the family. Lately I found that pacing and characters are really important for me to enjoy this genre because even here my biggest issues were the pacing of the story and the main character. The pacing glossed over scenes that could have helped connect with characters and then it was quite slow in other parts of the story. Ismay reminded me of all the Mc I generally dislike, because of her inability to try and put herself in other people’s shoes. How do you move to another town and make the decision to make a new train station without ever asking the rest of the population? Also I really didn’t like how she treated the girls and was not understanding of their situation. If you love cozy fantasy I’d still recommend this book, because what didn’t work for me might be working for you.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ismay moves to a small town after running away from her past job to teach to three sisters. However things at her new workplace are not as they seem and the girls are not as easy to teach as they first seemed. On top of that Ismay decided to contact the transport bureau to make sure that the train connects with the small town as well. Was that a wise choice?
The premise of this book sounded so good. I love cozy fantasy, small towns and I was really interested to find out the real nature of the Glenn and the family. Lately I found that pacing and characters are really important for me to enjoy this genre because even here my biggest issues were the pacing of the story and the main character. The pacing glossed over scenes that could have helped connect with characters and then it was quite slow in other parts of the story. Ismay reminded me of all the Mc I generally dislike, because of her inability to try and put herself in other people’s shoes. How do you move to another town and make the decision to make a new train station without ever asking the rest of the population? Also I really didn’t like how she treated the girls and was not understanding of their situation. If you love cozy fantasy I’d still recommend this book, because what didn’t work for me might be working for you.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 1, 2026
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.
I love cozy fantasy books, so when I saw this e-arc on Netgalley with the lovely cover and great description I knew I wanted to read it.
In this book we follow Ismay who is looking for a new teaching post after her last post had an unfortunate accident. She decides to work for the underhill family where she will teach the three daughters. However, the lessons turn out catastrophic and Ismay makes decisions that don’t fit well with some people in the small town. She has to work together with the family and neighbors to get out of the mess to get a happy ending.
I liked the world building and the sisters were great in their own way, but I really was annoyed with Ismay, how she stands in life and the decisions she made that had a negative impact on others without thinking that through. Besides that, the story, characters and world building felt flat.
Did Not Finish
May 27, 2026I found the writing atmospheric and evocative, with a tone that gave Jane Eyre vibes. The FMC is relatable in her curiosity, especially in the way it tends to land her in trouble or irritate the people around her (though thankfully not the ones who matter).
That said, I struggled to stay engaged. I went in expecting more cozy banter, and perhaps that develops later, but the early plot—focused mainly on the FMC playing teacher to three faerie girls—didn’t hold my interest. I also found myself wanting to skip ahead to see when the MMC would appear, which is usually a sign the story isn’t compelling enough on its own for me.
The FMC’s early dishonesty didn’t help my connection to her either; it didn’t feel like a meaningful character flaw. Ultimately, this one wasn’t for me. DNF at 12%.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
That said, I struggled to stay engaged. I went in expecting more cozy banter, and perhaps that develops later, but the early plot—focused mainly on the FMC playing teacher to three faerie girls—didn’t hold my interest. I also found myself wanting to skip ahead to see when the MMC would appear, which is usually a sign the story isn’t compelling enough on its own for me.
The FMC’s early dishonesty didn’t help my connection to her either; it didn’t feel like a meaningful character flaw. Ultimately, this one wasn’t for me. DNF at 12%.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An ARC from Net Galley
This is a gentle and cosy romance with fairies 🧚♂️
I loved how Ismay developed and found her strength as well as love in this story.
In fact there are many delightful characters that make up a wonderful welcoming community. If I could move to this village I absolutely would!
Lovely!
This is a gentle and cosy romance with fairies 🧚♂️
I loved how Ismay developed and found her strength as well as love in this story.
In fact there are many delightful characters that make up a wonderful welcoming community. If I could move to this village I absolutely would!
Lovely!
Read
May 28, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this hoping for a cozy, whimsical fantasy, and while the premise had potential, it unfortunately didn’t fully work for me. The writing was atmospheric and gave slight Jane Eyre vibes, which I enjoyed, and I liked some of the magical elements and the Underhill family.
However, I struggled to stay engaged with the pacing and never fully connected with the FMC. Many of her decisions frustrated me, and the story overall felt too slow for my taste. I also found myself waiting for the MMC and bigger plot developments to finally appear.
Overall, this was just a matter of personal taste, but sadly this one wasn’t for me.
⭐️⭐️
DNF at 12%
I went into this hoping for a cozy, whimsical fantasy, and while the premise had potential, it unfortunately didn’t fully work for me. The writing was atmospheric and gave slight Jane Eyre vibes, which I enjoyed, and I liked some of the magical elements and the Underhill family.
However, I struggled to stay engaged with the pacing and never fully connected with the FMC. Many of her decisions frustrated me, and the story overall felt too slow for my taste. I also found myself waiting for the MMC and bigger plot developments to finally appear.
Overall, this was just a matter of personal taste, but sadly this one wasn’t for me.
⭐️⭐️
DNF at 12%
February 16, 2026
This is the definition of cozy fantasy! The storytelling is so enjoyable, felt like I was ready an old fairytale as a kid! And you will absolutely love the characters across the entire story 💚💚💚💚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I love a good whimsical, cozy fantasy, so I was hopeful this would be an enjoyable read, buut... I ended up DNFing at around 50% because the it didn’t quite click for me.
The premise (a fairy community trying to protect their home from a railway extension) had promise, but the pacing and tone felt slow and didn’t hold my attention. I didn’t connect with the FMC in any way, though I enjoyed the Underhill family and the magical elements. Some key plot points unfolded quite late, which made it hard for me to stay invested.
Overall, this is just a matter of personal taste, other readers who enjoy gentle, character-driven fantasy with whimsical worldbuilding may find it more engaging.
The premise (a fairy community trying to protect their home from a railway extension) had promise, but the pacing and tone felt slow and didn’t hold my attention. I didn’t connect with the FMC in any way, though I enjoyed the Underhill family and the magical elements. Some key plot points unfolded quite late, which made it hard for me to stay invested.
Overall, this is just a matter of personal taste, other readers who enjoy gentle, character-driven fantasy with whimsical worldbuilding may find it more engaging.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you very much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up
The Moonsingers is a cosy fairy story set in Industrial Revolution Scotland. When Ismay Gebhardt moves to Glenmaidens to work as a live-in tutor, she finds herself embroiled in the task of preventing the construction of a railway through the village. The task is made more difficult by Hamish Breck, the bureaucrat assigned to survey the village for the work. Torn between fairy magic, her fears, and her budding affections for Hamish, Ismay finds herself navigating a seemingly impossible situation.
This story is beautifully crafted, structured, and written. The events are narrated in third person limited with a focus on Ismay’s perspective. We see Ismay’s character development not only in the narration of her thoughts and actions but also in what’s presumed of other characters. In fact, no one in this story seems to stay the same. Everyone has a lesson to learn and a consequence of their actions to reap.
The eclectic cast of characters is delightful, featuring the three girls Ismay teaches, their lackadaisical father, the inhabitants of the village, Ismay’s friends and family, and of course Mr. Hamish Breck. Ismay is certainly not a perfect protagonist, nor should she be; she is flawed, a product of both her nature and the circumstances surrounding it, and it only makes her all the more real. Hamish is wonderfully endearing; his commitment to the railways is as sweet as his clumsiness, though it often belies his more deliberately charming qualities. The children—Morven, Weir, and Ailsa—are delightful. Chaotic, sweet, and painfully misunderstood, they remain the wisest characters in the book even in their innocence.
I think I’d like to dedicate a whole paragraph of this review to Hamish Breck. What a man! Dorky, sweet, intelligent, pedantic, clumsy, endearing, charming, romantic, and wonderfully bumbling, he’s a lovely man. Were it not for his infuriating, but unquestionably funny, dedication to his pomade, I’d even call him a dream man. A gentleman through and through, Hamish is written proof that even a bureaucrat in a boring brown suit can be a source of enchantment.
Normally I would balk at a story featuring so many miscommunications. However, in this case, they come well-employed. Ismay is a paradox, wherein she states facts and observations quite boldly but hesitates to voice her feelings or anything she would deem remotely embarrassing (which, for her, is a lot of things). The simplest of these miscommunications are resolved almost immediately, and the more complex ones are resolved at the earliest possible convenience (even if that becomes delayed).
Author Robyn J. Pritzker’s writing is deceptively simple yet masterfully executed. She crafts vivid imagery, vibrant characters, and a heartwarming story with all the finesse of a fairy weaving a spell. The Moonsingers is evocative of the family films I remember from the 90s and early 2000s: appropriate and fun for children while still being enjoyable and meaningful for adults.
The Moonsingers is a smooth and delightful read, acting as a welcome reprieve from the chaos of everyday life. It’s ideal for readers looking for a cosy, slow-paced, and simple story that has all the elements of the sweetest children’s books with a maturity suitable for a grown adult. The author reminds her reader that it’s sometimes best to take the long way around and enjoy the scenery, and a wrong turn could lead to far more happiness than one could ever have imagined.
Rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up
The Moonsingers is a cosy fairy story set in Industrial Revolution Scotland. When Ismay Gebhardt moves to Glenmaidens to work as a live-in tutor, she finds herself embroiled in the task of preventing the construction of a railway through the village. The task is made more difficult by Hamish Breck, the bureaucrat assigned to survey the village for the work. Torn between fairy magic, her fears, and her budding affections for Hamish, Ismay finds herself navigating a seemingly impossible situation.
This story is beautifully crafted, structured, and written. The events are narrated in third person limited with a focus on Ismay’s perspective. We see Ismay’s character development not only in the narration of her thoughts and actions but also in what’s presumed of other characters. In fact, no one in this story seems to stay the same. Everyone has a lesson to learn and a consequence of their actions to reap.
The eclectic cast of characters is delightful, featuring the three girls Ismay teaches, their lackadaisical father, the inhabitants of the village, Ismay’s friends and family, and of course Mr. Hamish Breck. Ismay is certainly not a perfect protagonist, nor should she be; she is flawed, a product of both her nature and the circumstances surrounding it, and it only makes her all the more real. Hamish is wonderfully endearing; his commitment to the railways is as sweet as his clumsiness, though it often belies his more deliberately charming qualities. The children—Morven, Weir, and Ailsa—are delightful. Chaotic, sweet, and painfully misunderstood, they remain the wisest characters in the book even in their innocence.
I think I’d like to dedicate a whole paragraph of this review to Hamish Breck. What a man! Dorky, sweet, intelligent, pedantic, clumsy, endearing, charming, romantic, and wonderfully bumbling, he’s a lovely man. Were it not for his infuriating, but unquestionably funny, dedication to his pomade, I’d even call him a dream man. A gentleman through and through, Hamish is written proof that even a bureaucrat in a boring brown suit can be a source of enchantment.
Normally I would balk at a story featuring so many miscommunications. However, in this case, they come well-employed. Ismay is a paradox, wherein she states facts and observations quite boldly but hesitates to voice her feelings or anything she would deem remotely embarrassing (which, for her, is a lot of things). The simplest of these miscommunications are resolved almost immediately, and the more complex ones are resolved at the earliest possible convenience (even if that becomes delayed).
Author Robyn J. Pritzker’s writing is deceptively simple yet masterfully executed. She crafts vivid imagery, vibrant characters, and a heartwarming story with all the finesse of a fairy weaving a spell. The Moonsingers is evocative of the family films I remember from the 90s and early 2000s: appropriate and fun for children while still being enjoyable and meaningful for adults.
The Moonsingers is a smooth and delightful read, acting as a welcome reprieve from the chaos of everyday life. It’s ideal for readers looking for a cosy, slow-paced, and simple story that has all the elements of the sweetest children’s books with a maturity suitable for a grown adult. The author reminds her reader that it’s sometimes best to take the long way around and enjoy the scenery, and a wrong turn could lead to far more happiness than one could ever have imagined.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"In fact, what she most wanted, and could never before articulate, was to find the place where she made sense and help others do the same."
GENRE: Cozy Fantasy
RATING: 5/5
FORMAT: eBook Arc
Overall Impression: What a BEAUTIFUL story! This one is for those of us who are a little bit lost, looking for a place to call home and a community that accepts us as we are. It teaches us that we don't need to change and one day, we'll find that perfect home and found family that shows us that
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Review:
Okay where do I start? I LOVED everything about The Moonsingers, from the whimsy and the tone, the themes that focus on finding yourself and your home, building a community and a small town? Plus the entire adventure of trains, telegrams & letters, folklore and so much more? I AM IN (or well, I was and then I read it and I loved it😂)
The Moonsinger is a Cozy Fantasy that focuses on so many things but ultimately, to me, it was a story about standing out in a community that never understood you and having to leave to find your home and place in the world. Ismay never fit in society and didn't understand all the unsaid rules. Because of this, she struggles to find her own community outside of her family and even then, her own family loves her but doesn't understand her.
And so Ismay moves to a smaller town for a job to fix her own situation and intends to go back but OH WHAT AN ADVENTURE SHE EXPERIENCES!!
Ismay moves to Glenmaidens and becomes a private tutor to the Underhill sisters and oh, what a lovely community they build. It's two different communities who have always been outsiders, never fitting in finding each other. Ismay leads all the three girls through different lessons and learns with them that fitting in isn't necessary when you are in a place that will accept you as you are. With that, they all find a home in each other and a community. Sometimes, you have to leave the place you grew up in and find a home somewhere else rather than work to fit yourself in somewhere you were never meant to be in.
Oh and the adventures in The Moonsingers? We have Ismay meeting Hamish Breck, finding out about the secrets that are hidden in Glenmaidens with a dose of magic and Ismay making friends and meeting new people in the community. OH and obviously, them trying to stop the train from being built where the Oak tree is!
This Cozy Fantasy is for those of us who feel a little bit lost and dont know where home is. It's for those of us who haven't found our community and feel that loneliness at not belonging where we grew up. It's a story that gives us hope that there is a place for us somewhere that will accept us as we are and people that will love us for who we are. It's a lesson that we don't need to change to fit in, we will find those who love us for who we are.
What a beautiful and lovely story. I now want to try Tablet and can't wait to acquire some!
Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the Arc copy in the exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 2.5 stars
The Moonsingers is a cozy fairy tale about a young woman, Ismay, who starts her life again as the teacher to three young girls in the countryside. Ismay writes to the department of transportation about trying to get a train into town to modernize, but learns that it would involve the destruction of a thousands-year-old tree sacred to this community. But not everything is as it seems, and Ismay has a lot to learn.
I love a cozy fantasy novel. I love a small town setting. I love whimsy and magical and found family and a romance. This book has a lot of elements that are easy wins in my book, and I came into the premise excited about the story.
This story centers around Ismay and her three charges, and this part of the story is very well done. Ismay and the three girls she teaches learn together and form a family of sorts, learning from one another. Ismay’s character growth in connection to these girls is solid and engaging.
The magic system in this book was also just right, well-developed without being overcomplicated. The story moves the magic into the narrative at just the right times and allows our character to discover things slowly. The fairies in this story are benevolent and maybe a little mischievous, but never sinister or cruel, which is a nice change from traditional fairy tales.
The largest problem with this book is that it’s trying to do too much. The story isn’t sure if it’s a small-town story about a big city teacher learning from its students, or a romance novel, or a story about someone isolated finding her community, or a fight against bureaucracy, or a redemption novel. Because it’s trying to do too much, the pacing for the book feels off, and almost none of the elements feel explored enough. The romance felt rushed, her friendships with the townsfolk feel thin, and the fight against modernization feels disjointed.
I also fundamentally don’t understand the redemption storyline. Our story starts with Ismay chastising herself for a life-altering mistake that she made as a teacher that put everyone at risk. The refrain that students almost died keeps echoing through the story, and I couldn’t figure out what would have been large enough to warrant such a reaction and also keep our character likable. When we finally discover this horrible secret, it feels like an overreaction. When this truth is revealed to her community, no one reacts to the actual event; instead, everyone is just mad at her for lying. Our character was blacklisted completely in her large city and unable to secure a job except for in the countryside because of this seemingly small mistake. I understand the premise needed her to uproot herself, but the problem was never really explained or addressed by our characters. The assumption seemed to be that we would understand why this error is grave and therefore explanations are unnecessary.
Altogether, this is a cute cozy fantasy novel that needed some improvements in its execution. Because the story tried to do too much, the pacing and characterizations really suffered in the story, and the redemption story didn’t feel like it explained or gave weight to our character’s mistakes. This book had a lot of potential and I hope that the author will continue to write, as I think there’s a lot that could work in this story with more editing.
Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy!
The Moonsingers is a cozy fairy tale about a young woman, Ismay, who starts her life again as the teacher to three young girls in the countryside. Ismay writes to the department of transportation about trying to get a train into town to modernize, but learns that it would involve the destruction of a thousands-year-old tree sacred to this community. But not everything is as it seems, and Ismay has a lot to learn.
I love a cozy fantasy novel. I love a small town setting. I love whimsy and magical and found family and a romance. This book has a lot of elements that are easy wins in my book, and I came into the premise excited about the story.
This story centers around Ismay and her three charges, and this part of the story is very well done. Ismay and the three girls she teaches learn together and form a family of sorts, learning from one another. Ismay’s character growth in connection to these girls is solid and engaging.
The magic system in this book was also just right, well-developed without being overcomplicated. The story moves the magic into the narrative at just the right times and allows our character to discover things slowly. The fairies in this story are benevolent and maybe a little mischievous, but never sinister or cruel, which is a nice change from traditional fairy tales.
The largest problem with this book is that it’s trying to do too much. The story isn’t sure if it’s a small-town story about a big city teacher learning from its students, or a romance novel, or a story about someone isolated finding her community, or a fight against bureaucracy, or a redemption novel. Because it’s trying to do too much, the pacing for the book feels off, and almost none of the elements feel explored enough. The romance felt rushed, her friendships with the townsfolk feel thin, and the fight against modernization feels disjointed.
I also fundamentally don’t understand the redemption storyline. Our story starts with Ismay chastising herself for a life-altering mistake that she made as a teacher that put everyone at risk. The refrain that students almost died keeps echoing through the story, and I couldn’t figure out what would have been large enough to warrant such a reaction and also keep our character likable. When we finally discover this horrible secret, it feels like an overreaction. When this truth is revealed to her community, no one reacts to the actual event; instead, everyone is just mad at her for lying. Our character was blacklisted completely in her large city and unable to secure a job except for in the countryside because of this seemingly small mistake. I understand the premise needed her to uproot herself, but the problem was never really explained or addressed by our characters. The assumption seemed to be that we would understand why this error is grave and therefore explanations are unnecessary.
Altogether, this is a cute cozy fantasy novel that needed some improvements in its execution. Because the story tried to do too much, the pacing and characterizations really suffered in the story, and the redemption story didn’t feel like it explained or gave weight to our character’s mistakes. This book had a lot of potential and I hope that the author will continue to write, as I think there’s a lot that could work in this story with more editing.
Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Moonsingers” by Dr. Robyn J. Pritzker isn’t just world building, it’s myth building. Putting me most in mind of Freya Marske’s “Last Binding” trilogy, or Susan Cooper’s Dark is Rising Sequence, this book is enchanting and subsuming in the way that I always hope I’ll discover again.
Moonsingers carries the childlike joy and excitement and * glory * of a new fantastical world alongside our own; a Narnia, an Earthsea, a Damar, a Fantasia (or as written in the book, Fantastica), while remaining engaging, captivating, and engrossing as an adult reader.
I think that Ismay is perfectly summed up in the statement that she “always felt, no matter how she tried to do things by the book, her own book was the wrong one.” In part because of this, she tries so hard in the beginning to help the girls be able to fit in to go back to school, tamping down all her instincts because she’s been trained to believe they’re wrong when really they’re the most right. As she learns more about who the girls and their father are, she finds embracing who she herself is to be the way forward with them and for them. It is a delight to see her embrace whimsy and adventure as a means to education.
Alas, in her broader life, she continues to make inadvertently wrong choices, and it is this facet of her character that drives much of the action of the story (the ill-omened letter requesting the train being the prime example). Ismay is easy to see as neurodivergent, with ADHD being the most obvious, and as with any adult woman with undiagnosed ADHD, anxiety is not far behind. In combination, the results can seem irrational – for example demanding her bicycle so she can keep her commitment to arrive at Mossgaan on the promised day even though the conductor told her that her new employer would have been informed of the train’s delay.
The romance is subtle, and while it plays a role in plot, it is not the focus, and you find yourself questioning what its end result will be – it is, after all, a cozy fairy tale, not a cozy romance. When I reached the halfway point of the book I wondered how there could still be a whole other half remaining, when to my delight what I expected to be the climax was only the end of the first act. It is in act two wherein we see Ismay truly learn to lean into her strengths and her character growth and development is neither sudden nor unbelievable. I know I have focused on Ismay, but I cannot think of a way to also discuss Morven, Weir, Ailsa, Diermid, and Haimish, Caroline Sosie, Phil, and Adrian as well without turning the review into a book report, and it may already be too long.
Wishes are dangerous things when dealing with the Still Folk, yet I wish my review could convey the feeling of Glenmaidens, Mossgaan, and the relationships in Moonsingers. My review just can’t do it justice, but as act two proceeded I wrote in my notes “chills and goosebumps and delight!” and at the end of the tale, “my mind and heart are singing!”
In more mundane matters, I was also delighted by the pronunciation and definition footnotes.
THANK YOU NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC copy of Moonsingers. My review is voluntary, and I've been messaging friends and even called my mom about the book!
Moonsingers carries the childlike joy and excitement and * glory * of a new fantastical world alongside our own; a Narnia, an Earthsea, a Damar, a Fantasia (or as written in the book, Fantastica), while remaining engaging, captivating, and engrossing as an adult reader.
I think that Ismay is perfectly summed up in the statement that she “always felt, no matter how she tried to do things by the book, her own book was the wrong one.” In part because of this, she tries so hard in the beginning to help the girls be able to fit in to go back to school, tamping down all her instincts because she’s been trained to believe they’re wrong when really they’re the most right. As she learns more about who the girls and their father are, she finds embracing who she herself is to be the way forward with them and for them. It is a delight to see her embrace whimsy and adventure as a means to education.
Alas, in her broader life, she continues to make inadvertently wrong choices, and it is this facet of her character that drives much of the action of the story (the ill-omened letter requesting the train being the prime example). Ismay is easy to see as neurodivergent, with ADHD being the most obvious, and as with any adult woman with undiagnosed ADHD, anxiety is not far behind. In combination, the results can seem irrational – for example demanding her bicycle so she can keep her commitment to arrive at Mossgaan on the promised day even though the conductor told her that her new employer would have been informed of the train’s delay.
The romance is subtle, and while it plays a role in plot, it is not the focus, and you find yourself questioning what its end result will be – it is, after all, a cozy fairy tale, not a cozy romance. When I reached the halfway point of the book I wondered how there could still be a whole other half remaining, when to my delight what I expected to be the climax was only the end of the first act. It is in act two wherein we see Ismay truly learn to lean into her strengths and her character growth and development is neither sudden nor unbelievable. I know I have focused on Ismay, but I cannot think of a way to also discuss Morven, Weir, Ailsa, Diermid, and Haimish, Caroline Sosie, Phil, and Adrian as well without turning the review into a book report, and it may already be too long.
Wishes are dangerous things when dealing with the Still Folk, yet I wish my review could convey the feeling of Glenmaidens, Mossgaan, and the relationships in Moonsingers. My review just can’t do it justice, but as act two proceeded I wrote in my notes “chills and goosebumps and delight!” and at the end of the tale, “my mind and heart are singing!”
In more mundane matters, I was also delighted by the pronunciation and definition footnotes.
THANK YOU NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC copy of Moonsingers. My review is voluntary, and I've been messaging friends and even called my mom about the book!
June 3, 2026
The Moonsingers 🌙🎶is a gentle, cozy fantasy about Ismay Gebhardt, a young woman trying to begin again after losing yet another teaching position. When she arrives in the quiet village of Glenmaidens to become a private tutor for the three Underhill sisters, she expects a practical fresh start. What she finds instead is a place shaped by old magic, community ties, fairy mischief, and a sacred tree that means far more to the village than she first understands.
At the center of the story is Ismay’s relationship with the three girls she has been hired to teach. The Underhill sisters are lively, unusual, and not always easy students, but their bond with Ismay slowly becomes the emotional heart of the book. I really enjoyed watching not only the girls learn from Ismay but, more importantly, Ismay learn from the girls. Ismay arrives thinking she is there to guide them, but the girls and the village end up teaching her just as much about belonging, trust, and letting go of the need to carry everyone else’s burdens.
The setting is one of the book’s strongest elements. Glenmaidens has that slow, tucked-away countryside feeling that makes cozy fantasy so appealing. The magic is soft and whimsical without becoming overly complicated. The fairies are playful and mysterious rather than cruel, and the ancient oak tree adds a lovely mythic quality to the story. I especially liked how the magical elements unfold gradually, allowing Ismay to discover the village’s secrets piece by piece.
I also appreciated the themes of found family and chosen home. The Moonsingers is very much about realizing that family is not always defined by blood or birthplace. Sometimes home is the place and the people that allow you to become more fully yourself. That message is simple, but it is handled with warmth and sincerity.
There is also a touch of romance, and I enjoyed what was there, though I found myself wishing for a little more on the page. When it finally arrived, it felt like we hit fast-forward, went to the other side, and kept going. The story is more focused on healing, teaching, community, and Ismay’s personal growth than on the romantic thread, so readers looking for a romance-forward fantasy may want to adjust expectations.
My biggest struggle was the pacing. This is a very slow, meandering book, and while that adds to the dreamy, old-fashioned atmosphere, there were parts of the story that dragged for me. Ismay also frustrated me at times. Her heart is usually in the right place, but some of her choices create problems that could have been avoided if she had paused, listened, or trusted others sooner. That said, her flaws do serve a purpose. She is a character who has to learn that being needed is not the same thing as being loved, and that trying to fix everything can sometimes cause more harm than good.
Overall, The Moonsingers is a charming, heartfelt fantasy with a beautiful sense of place, endearing side characters, and a cozy magical atmosphere. It did not completely sweep me away because of the slower pacing and a few frustrating character choices, but I still found it warm, thoughtful, and ultimately satisfying. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press🖊️ for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased opinion. I recommend it to lovers of whimsical fairies🧚 and cozy fantasy🧌.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫(3.5 stars, rounded up to 4)
At the center of the story is Ismay’s relationship with the three girls she has been hired to teach. The Underhill sisters are lively, unusual, and not always easy students, but their bond with Ismay slowly becomes the emotional heart of the book. I really enjoyed watching not only the girls learn from Ismay but, more importantly, Ismay learn from the girls. Ismay arrives thinking she is there to guide them, but the girls and the village end up teaching her just as much about belonging, trust, and letting go of the need to carry everyone else’s burdens.
The setting is one of the book’s strongest elements. Glenmaidens has that slow, tucked-away countryside feeling that makes cozy fantasy so appealing. The magic is soft and whimsical without becoming overly complicated. The fairies are playful and mysterious rather than cruel, and the ancient oak tree adds a lovely mythic quality to the story. I especially liked how the magical elements unfold gradually, allowing Ismay to discover the village’s secrets piece by piece.
I also appreciated the themes of found family and chosen home. The Moonsingers is very much about realizing that family is not always defined by blood or birthplace. Sometimes home is the place and the people that allow you to become more fully yourself. That message is simple, but it is handled with warmth and sincerity.
There is also a touch of romance, and I enjoyed what was there, though I found myself wishing for a little more on the page. When it finally arrived, it felt like we hit fast-forward, went to the other side, and kept going. The story is more focused on healing, teaching, community, and Ismay’s personal growth than on the romantic thread, so readers looking for a romance-forward fantasy may want to adjust expectations.
My biggest struggle was the pacing. This is a very slow, meandering book, and while that adds to the dreamy, old-fashioned atmosphere, there were parts of the story that dragged for me. Ismay also frustrated me at times. Her heart is usually in the right place, but some of her choices create problems that could have been avoided if she had paused, listened, or trusted others sooner. That said, her flaws do serve a purpose. She is a character who has to learn that being needed is not the same thing as being loved, and that trying to fix everything can sometimes cause more harm than good.
Overall, The Moonsingers is a charming, heartfelt fantasy with a beautiful sense of place, endearing side characters, and a cozy magical atmosphere. It did not completely sweep me away because of the slower pacing and a few frustrating character choices, but I still found it warm, thoughtful, and ultimately satisfying. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press🖊️ for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased opinion. I recommend it to lovers of whimsical fairies🧚 and cozy fantasy🧌.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫(3.5 stars, rounded up to 4)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you liked "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches" you'll enjoy "The Moonsingers". This cozy fantasy follows Ismay who has taken up a teaching positions in a remote village for 3 very unusual girls. At the start of the novel, her train trip there is interrupted, prompting Ismay to write to the train agency and ask for an extension of the train line. Little does she know what trouble that will bring for her new town and the 3 girls she's learning to love.
I thought this was very sweet and wholesome. I loved the beginning where Ismay starts to get to know the family she's working for, and begins to connect with the 3 girls. It was very realistic to see, having been a teacher myself, that her pupils don't always act the way she expects, and quite charming to see how she begins to understand them and work to teach them in a way that suits their needs. I also found the romance very endearing, although a lot of Hamish and Ismay's connection happens off page, and I do wish more of it was on page.
What makes this a 3.5/5 star rating for me is that Ismay seems to have no brain cells in the beginning of the book. A train mildly inconvenienced her, and she makes a ton of rash decisions regarding this one event. She rides her bicycle off the beaten path to get somewhere instead of just waiting until the train starts running again. And then despite an entire village worth of people telling her they don't want a train, she adamantly requests a train station to be built in this village. The other thing that drove me up the wall was the author definitely queer baits a few times. The first time, she mentions that Ismay was flushed to see another female character she was friends with "not because of her bike ride". And I thought that maybe this would be the love interest as the real love interest had not been solidified yet. But then I read on and was like "oh maybe I just misread that part". But then the author did it again!!! She says "maybe she and Phil(the female friend) would fall in love in a couple years" just because things didn't seem to be working out with the love interest in that moment. Either go for it and solidify the character as bi or don't even mention this, it really bugged me. Like if those 2 sentences had been omitted I think I would have enjoyed the story more just because I feel the author threw that in there to say "hey I have LGBTQ rep...even though there really was none.
Overall, this story was a very enjoyable story about found family, friendship, overcoming obstacle and past mistakes, with a tinge of romance. I think you'll enjoy this if you've read and enjoyed Sangu Mandanna's works. 3.5/5 stars
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing and ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was very sweet and wholesome. I loved the beginning where Ismay starts to get to know the family she's working for, and begins to connect with the 3 girls. It was very realistic to see, having been a teacher myself, that her pupils don't always act the way she expects, and quite charming to see how she begins to understand them and work to teach them in a way that suits their needs. I also found the romance very endearing, although a lot of Hamish and Ismay's connection happens off page, and I do wish more of it was on page.
What makes this a 3.5/5 star rating for me is that Ismay seems to have no brain cells in the beginning of the book. A train mildly inconvenienced her, and she makes a ton of rash decisions regarding this one event. She rides her bicycle off the beaten path to get somewhere instead of just waiting until the train starts running again. And then despite an entire village worth of people telling her they don't want a train, she adamantly requests a train station to be built in this village. The other thing that drove me up the wall was the author definitely queer baits a few times. The first time, she mentions that Ismay was flushed to see another female character she was friends with "not because of her bike ride". And I thought that maybe this would be the love interest as the real love interest had not been solidified yet. But then I read on and was like "oh maybe I just misread that part". But then the author did it again!!! She says "maybe she and Phil(the female friend) would fall in love in a couple years" just because things didn't seem to be working out with the love interest in that moment. Either go for it and solidify the character as bi or don't even mention this, it really bugged me. Like if those 2 sentences had been omitted I think I would have enjoyed the story more just because I feel the author threw that in there to say "hey I have LGBTQ rep...even though there really was none.
Overall, this story was a very enjoyable story about found family, friendship, overcoming obstacle and past mistakes, with a tinge of romance. I think you'll enjoy this if you've read and enjoyed Sangu Mandanna's works. 3.5/5 stars
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing and ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Robyn J Pritzker for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Available 14 July 2026.
THE MOONSINGERS is as if a modern Jane Eyre wrote a heartwarming story about a tiny little Scottish town and fairies. Ismay was a teacher until she got fired, and spent ages looking for a new post until her last chance came up - tutoring three girls in the small village of Glemaidens, far away from her troubles. On her journey there, the train is late - which will be quite realistic to anyone familiar with Scottish transport - and Ismay takes it personally. All is well, until fixing the rail is motion, and Ismay realises that's the very last thing that should happen. In comes Hamish Breck, an awkward train nerd and the person who will ruin it all, and in comes a special family, the Underhills, whom Ismay has just put into danger.
It's absolutely perfect. From the first page to the last, I devoured this as if it were my only sustenance. Ismay's difficulties with the three girls were frustrating enough that I could feel it, and the passion she felt for being a better person than she had been before made my heart all warm and fuzzy. Her path to becoming a better person is far from linear but it's all the more satisfying for it, and shows how easily good intentions could have bad consequences. This novel is all about the importance of communication, honesty, and trust - and boy oh boy, does it do it fabulously!
A standing ovation goes to the girls: Morven, Weir, and Ailsa. They are strange and lovable, inquisitive and slightly odd, and you can't help but want to know more about them. The girls' father, Diarmid, mostly keeps to himself, but is hilarious when around and it was delightful to have such a gentle male presence throughout the entire story. Then there's Mr Hamish Breck himself - the man after everybody's heart. How could you not fall in love with him? He's kind, he's a nerd, he loves his family, and most importantly, perhaps, he might just love our protagonist, too.
The prose is picturesque, vivid, and feels like magic is seeping from the pages. I am jealous of all those who get to read this for the first time, going in blind just like I did, and discovering a world that is a better version of their own. So here I am, asking about the next train to Glenmaidens - I'll take it even if it's an hour late. Or a whole day.
For fans of cosy fantasy, true romances, and stories that wrap themselves around your heart and never let go.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was given to be as an ARC by NetGalley.
The Moonsingers is a very original book. Not only is easy to immerse in it, the descriptions are vivid and meaningful, and all the characters are described in their unique way. The plot has high stakes and it's easy to follow. It was refreshing - a fairy book with no recycled tropes that felt special.
However, there are a few things that caught my eye.
The pacing was not consistent throughout the book, which may be because of the genre. It started off slow, showing the setting and making the reader dive into the village almost as if they were there. It started picking its pace after the appearance of Hamish, but the story was too long. I really believe the book would have benefited off being smaller and focusing more on the key points of the story.
For me, it was like I read two different stories. I was intrigued about the girls and thought the classes and mysteries with them were the main premise of the book, but when more mysteries started happening I felt like I was robbed of that original feeling. This might have to do with the subtle but hinting foreshadowing that the author did since the beginning with the girls' characters, as well as their father, which immediately hooked me. While all the plots connected and intertwined, I think the beginning gave a wrong idea of where the story was heading, possibly because it was so slow. Still, this was more of a side note since the main story completely stole my heart and these little things honestly weren't in the way of me enjoying the book.
Taking this aside, the mysteries were crafted perfectly and everything made sense at the end. I read the last half of the book fairly quickly because I had no idea on how they were going to fix Ismay's problem and more than that, what would happen to her dilemma; I was so intrigued. Even though the hints were there and you could craft your own ways of solving the 'mystery', the author surprised me with the twist to the situation and Ismay's character. I loved everything about her relationship with Hamish, it developed naturally and beautifully and the author can really capture each of the character's voices through their dialogue. Their relationship rather stole the girls' spotlight, and while it wasn't what I was counting on, it was a nice surprise and it was so well written, fitting into the story like a puzzle piece.
This is a refreshing book where the reader can try to figure everything out because they discover everything with the main character. It's a perfectly crafted mystery and dilemma with a logic solution that made perfect sense to its story and characters.
The Moonsingers is a very original book. Not only is easy to immerse in it, the descriptions are vivid and meaningful, and all the characters are described in their unique way. The plot has high stakes and it's easy to follow. It was refreshing - a fairy book with no recycled tropes that felt special.
However, there are a few things that caught my eye.
The pacing was not consistent throughout the book, which may be because of the genre. It started off slow, showing the setting and making the reader dive into the village almost as if they were there. It started picking its pace after the appearance of Hamish, but the story was too long. I really believe the book would have benefited off being smaller and focusing more on the key points of the story.
For me, it was like I read two different stories. I was intrigued about the girls and thought the classes and mysteries with them were the main premise of the book, but when more mysteries started happening I felt like I was robbed of that original feeling. This might have to do with the subtle but hinting foreshadowing that the author did since the beginning with the girls' characters, as well as their father, which immediately hooked me. While all the plots connected and intertwined, I think the beginning gave a wrong idea of where the story was heading, possibly because it was so slow. Still, this was more of a side note since the main story completely stole my heart and these little things honestly weren't in the way of me enjoying the book.
Taking this aside, the mysteries were crafted perfectly and everything made sense at the end. I read the last half of the book fairly quickly because I had no idea on how they were going to fix Ismay's problem and more than that, what would happen to her dilemma; I was so intrigued. Even though the hints were there and you could craft your own ways of solving the 'mystery', the author surprised me with the twist to the situation and Ismay's character. I loved everything about her relationship with Hamish, it developed naturally and beautifully and the author can really capture each of the character's voices through their dialogue. Their relationship rather stole the girls' spotlight, and while it wasn't what I was counting on, it was a nice surprise and it was so well written, fitting into the story like a puzzle piece.
This is a refreshing book where the reader can try to figure everything out because they discover everything with the main character. It's a perfectly crafted mystery and dilemma with a logic solution that made perfect sense to its story and characters.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
• I received an ARC for this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and I appreciate both your work and commitment to this project. The following opinion is my own and holds no major spoilers. •
• The Moonsingers
• Robyn J. Pritzker
• Rating: 4/5
-------------
“It isn’t the weeds’ fault they’re weeds, Ismay,” Ailsa told her tutor, when the latter commented on the gentle way the former pried them free of the soil. “They’re only trying to grow.”
-------------
I’m not a big fan of cozy fantasy. I feel like sometimes authors think you don’t need a proper plot to follow the vibe and I end up reading a story that doesn’t lead to nowhere and it’s consequently forgettable. However, when I read the synopsis of The Moonsingers, it had elements that could potentially break my prejudice against the genre. And I was totally right.
We meet Ismay, our FMC, and right away the author gives us a masterclass of “show don’t tell” on how stubborn and diligent she is. From that point on I knew I’d read a plethora of complex and interesting characters. I confess I missed the diversity though.
The story was interesting and I love to see how the character's actions reflect directly on the plot and how consequences naturally shape into events that keep you turning the pages to see how it goes. And don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for a good romance subplot, but I think this one would’ve been more interesting if the MMC was a little less of a pushover.
And the children! Oh, the children! They’re all so adorable and I fell in love with all three of them instantly, which was surprising since I find most literally children annoying. It’s really hard to write children characters, and the author not only did that perfectly but gave different tones and colors to their voices, allowing them to shine in their own roles and ages.
I need to point out, however, that I found the fae world a bit boring and unnecessary. I understand what the author was trying to do, but the same result could’ve been conveyed in the human world with some other twists and we would have less plot holes and narrative confusion.
All in all, I loved the reading and I’ll keep my eyes open for more of this author!
• The Moonsingers
• Robyn J. Pritzker
• Rating: 4/5
-------------
“It isn’t the weeds’ fault they’re weeds, Ismay,” Ailsa told her tutor, when the latter commented on the gentle way the former pried them free of the soil. “They’re only trying to grow.”
-------------
I’m not a big fan of cozy fantasy. I feel like sometimes authors think you don’t need a proper plot to follow the vibe and I end up reading a story that doesn’t lead to nowhere and it’s consequently forgettable. However, when I read the synopsis of The Moonsingers, it had elements that could potentially break my prejudice against the genre. And I was totally right.
We meet Ismay, our FMC, and right away the author gives us a masterclass of “show don’t tell” on how stubborn and diligent she is. From that point on I knew I’d read a plethora of complex and interesting characters. I confess I missed the diversity though.
The story was interesting and I love to see how the character's actions reflect directly on the plot and how consequences naturally shape into events that keep you turning the pages to see how it goes. And don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for a good romance subplot, but I think this one would’ve been more interesting if the MMC was a little less of a pushover.
And the children! Oh, the children! They’re all so adorable and I fell in love with all three of them instantly, which was surprising since I find most literally children annoying. It’s really hard to write children characters, and the author not only did that perfectly but gave different tones and colors to their voices, allowing them to shine in their own roles and ages.
I need to point out, however, that I found the fae world a bit boring and unnecessary. I understand what the author was trying to do, but the same result could’ve been conveyed in the human world with some other twists and we would have less plot holes and narrative confusion.
All in all, I loved the reading and I’ll keep my eyes open for more of this author!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Moonsingers follows Ismay, a teacher fired for making one too many mistakes, as she takes a last-chance job in the small village of Glenmaiden, where fae folk live among the villagers in secret(ish).
The plot moves a breakneck pace, such that many plot elements are only superficially explored, especially in the first half as the author sets up the various pieces of the story. Ismay starts off a study in contradictions, with her personality shifting from chapter to chapter depending on the larger plot points and less on what a common sense person would do. Almost all the conflicts in the story are entirely of Ismay’s making, and some of her central concerns end up being trivial. Similarly, the solutions to her problems, big and small, are often delayed for seemingly no plot-relevant reason except that Ismay didn’t think of them sooner. Then once she does, they’re too simply found. It makes for a story that often times confuses coziness with a lack of real or believable stakes.
This is a book about faeries in the real world, with some novel new ideas, but the lore is lightly explored compared to others in the genre. Faeries are not described as common knowledge among everyday folk in this world, so Ismay’s immediate acceptance and lack of any real shock was pushing credibility. This woman seems to question everything she does, but fantastical phenomenon is no big deal?
I enjoyed the three little girls at the centre of the story, and their budding relationship with Ismay, the most. The central romance with the charming beauracrat is cute and inoffensive, and I liked the buttoned-up Hamish. There’s no anything to lovers here, they’re just infatuated from the get go with some light ‘obstacles’. There’s a broader cast of unique characters in the town, all of whom I found likeable enough, and who I think would have benefited from a bit more fleshing out and another hundred pages.
TLDR: Light on fae/lore and on romance, heavy on endearing child characters. Cozy enough, and while it tries to introduce stakes, you never really get the impression anything bad will actually happen to anyone. It’s a 2.5 for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC to review.
The plot moves a breakneck pace, such that many plot elements are only superficially explored, especially in the first half as the author sets up the various pieces of the story. Ismay starts off a study in contradictions, with her personality shifting from chapter to chapter depending on the larger plot points and less on what a common sense person would do. Almost all the conflicts in the story are entirely of Ismay’s making, and some of her central concerns end up being trivial. Similarly, the solutions to her problems, big and small, are often delayed for seemingly no plot-relevant reason except that Ismay didn’t think of them sooner. Then once she does, they’re too simply found. It makes for a story that often times confuses coziness with a lack of real or believable stakes.
This is a book about faeries in the real world, with some novel new ideas, but the lore is lightly explored compared to others in the genre. Faeries are not described as common knowledge among everyday folk in this world, so Ismay’s immediate acceptance and lack of any real shock was pushing credibility. This woman seems to question everything she does, but fantastical phenomenon is no big deal?
I enjoyed the three little girls at the centre of the story, and their budding relationship with Ismay, the most. The central romance with the charming beauracrat is cute and inoffensive, and I liked the buttoned-up Hamish. There’s no anything to lovers here, they’re just infatuated from the get go with some light ‘obstacles’. There’s a broader cast of unique characters in the town, all of whom I found likeable enough, and who I think would have benefited from a bit more fleshing out and another hundred pages.
TLDR: Light on fae/lore and on romance, heavy on endearing child characters. Cozy enough, and while it tries to introduce stakes, you never really get the impression anything bad will actually happen to anyone. It’s a 2.5 for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC to review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆📖⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ Kindly provided by NetGalley 𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆📖⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
The Moonsingers is pitched as a cozy fantasy with a strong emphasis on gentle magic, community, and emotional warmth. It’s been compared to Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and The House in the Cerulean Sea — both beloved for quirky characters, tender world-building, and comfort-reading vibes — which sets a clear expectation for readers who enjoy uplifting fantasy over high-conflict epic storytelling.
📖 Premise & Characters
The story centers on Ismay Gebhardt, a well-meaning but accident-prone tutor who arrives in the sleepy Glenmaidens village and slowly discovers that the locals — including her three unusual pupils — are fairies living quietly among humans. Conflict arises when her attempts to be “useful” bring bureaucratic plans (and a charming railway officer) that threaten the magical oak at the heart of the glen.
This setup hints at a blend of character-driven storytelling and gentle conflict, where the “threat” is less about high-stakes violence and more about safeguarding wonder, belonging, and community ties.
⭐ Early Reactions & Strengths
While full critical reviews are just emerging, early quoted praise from established authors highlights a few strengths:
Charm & Heart: Early blurbs suggest the book is “chock full of tenderness and humor” and evocative and comforting — ideal for readers who love emotional warmth and magical everyday life.
Magic in the Mundane: Social posts from the author and early readers emphasize how the book brings “quiet magic” to ordinary moments and plays with fairy lore in a refreshing, cozy way rather than a dark or intense fantasy style.
Character Focus: The romance between Ismay and the railway officer — alongside her growing ties to Glenmaidens’ fairy residents — seems likely to appeal to those who enjoy interpersonal relationships as much as magical elements.
📌 In Summary
The Moonsingers is best described as a warm, charming, character-driven cozy fantasy that leans into the magic of daily life, small community bonds, and gentle romance. Its strengths are in its tone, heart, and sense of wonder, though readers seeking high adventure or epic world-building might find it more soothing than thrilling.
If you want a book that feels like coming home to a warm fire after a long day — one full of quirky characters, quiet enchantment, and meaningful relationships — this likely hits the mark.
The Moonsingers is pitched as a cozy fantasy with a strong emphasis on gentle magic, community, and emotional warmth. It’s been compared to Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries and The House in the Cerulean Sea — both beloved for quirky characters, tender world-building, and comfort-reading vibes — which sets a clear expectation for readers who enjoy uplifting fantasy over high-conflict epic storytelling.
📖 Premise & Characters
The story centers on Ismay Gebhardt, a well-meaning but accident-prone tutor who arrives in the sleepy Glenmaidens village and slowly discovers that the locals — including her three unusual pupils — are fairies living quietly among humans. Conflict arises when her attempts to be “useful” bring bureaucratic plans (and a charming railway officer) that threaten the magical oak at the heart of the glen.
This setup hints at a blend of character-driven storytelling and gentle conflict, where the “threat” is less about high-stakes violence and more about safeguarding wonder, belonging, and community ties.
⭐ Early Reactions & Strengths
While full critical reviews are just emerging, early quoted praise from established authors highlights a few strengths:
Charm & Heart: Early blurbs suggest the book is “chock full of tenderness and humor” and evocative and comforting — ideal for readers who love emotional warmth and magical everyday life.
Magic in the Mundane: Social posts from the author and early readers emphasize how the book brings “quiet magic” to ordinary moments and plays with fairy lore in a refreshing, cozy way rather than a dark or intense fantasy style.
Character Focus: The romance between Ismay and the railway officer — alongside her growing ties to Glenmaidens’ fairy residents — seems likely to appeal to those who enjoy interpersonal relationships as much as magical elements.
📌 In Summary
The Moonsingers is best described as a warm, charming, character-driven cozy fantasy that leans into the magic of daily life, small community bonds, and gentle romance. Its strengths are in its tone, heart, and sense of wonder, though readers seeking high adventure or epic world-building might find it more soothing than thrilling.
If you want a book that feels like coming home to a warm fire after a long day — one full of quirky characters, quiet enchantment, and meaningful relationships — this likely hits the mark.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the free, pre-publication copy (ARC or Digital Review Copy) of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was a delightful and cozy read that I breezed through quite easily. A very nice place to land between chunkier, more complex books. I enjoyed visiting the town of Glenmaidens and getting to know its people through the eyes of Ismay, our leading lady. The 3 daughters were enjoyably quirky and our romantic lead Hamish was quite a determined man. The town itself was a place I would love to visit, especially during festival time! To dance around the tree with the locals and possibly slip into fairyland would be a dream! I do wish the book was a bit longer so we could flesh out the personalities and relationships of all our characters....while I liked them all, I wasn't 100% invested in them. I think a bit more time with them, to learn more about them, could have added a bit more to the storyline, especially for me with Ismay. In the beginning, I started out very much annoyed with how she waltzed into town and five minutes after being there she thought she could fix everything for them by getting the railroad extended to their small town, it gave me a feeling of dislike for our main character right away, which was unfortunate. I grew to like her a bit, but not enough to keep me invested in rooting for her (especially when she went on to make similar mistakes). I was glad to see her growth in the end, but wish I could have been cheering her on more so in the beginning. The children were adorable and I loved getting to know each of them and how they all got to contribute with their unique abilities and personalities. Their father on the otherhand, ARGH! Come on Dad, lets get involved a LITTLE more with our wee ones. Overall I did like this book and I wish I could rate this 3.5 instead of 3, alas...the star system is what it is. For a quick and cozy journey I would say this is an enjoyable one!
This was a delightful and cozy read that I breezed through quite easily. A very nice place to land between chunkier, more complex books. I enjoyed visiting the town of Glenmaidens and getting to know its people through the eyes of Ismay, our leading lady. The 3 daughters were enjoyably quirky and our romantic lead Hamish was quite a determined man. The town itself was a place I would love to visit, especially during festival time! To dance around the tree with the locals and possibly slip into fairyland would be a dream! I do wish the book was a bit longer so we could flesh out the personalities and relationships of all our characters....while I liked them all, I wasn't 100% invested in them. I think a bit more time with them, to learn more about them, could have added a bit more to the storyline, especially for me with Ismay. In the beginning, I started out very much annoyed with how she waltzed into town and five minutes after being there she thought she could fix everything for them by getting the railroad extended to their small town, it gave me a feeling of dislike for our main character right away, which was unfortunate. I grew to like her a bit, but not enough to keep me invested in rooting for her (especially when she went on to make similar mistakes). I was glad to see her growth in the end, but wish I could have been cheering her on more so in the beginning. The children were adorable and I loved getting to know each of them and how they all got to contribute with their unique abilities and personalities. Their father on the otherhand, ARGH! Come on Dad, lets get involved a LITTLE more with our wee ones. Overall I did like this book and I wish I could rate this 3.5 instead of 3, alas...the star system is what it is. For a quick and cozy journey I would say this is an enjoyable one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.
The Moonsingers: A Cozy Fairy Tale by Robyn J. Pritzker felt like stepping into a softly lit fairy tale where magic dwells in hidden corners and kindness matters just as much as wonder.
There is something undeniably comforting about this story. Its atmosphere is steeped in whimsy and warmth, with a gentle fairy-tale quality that drew me into its world almost immediately. I especially appreciated the way magic was woven not only through the extraordinary, but also through the smaller, everyday moments, giving the story a lovely sense of heart and nostalgia.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was its cast of characters, particularly Ailsa, Morven, and Weir, the three young girls Ismay tutors throughout the story. They brought so much warmth, personality, and joy to the narrative, and I found myself genuinely looking forward to every scene they appeared in. Their presence added an emotional richness that grounded the whimsy beautifully.
At its heart, The Moonsingers is a story about belonging, community, and caring for the people and places that shape us. The fairy-tale quality felt sincere and earnest, which gave the story a cosy, comforting quality I found genuinely endearing.
While this was a lovely reading experience overall, there were a few elements that kept it from becoming a full five-star read for me. The gentler pace occasionally left me wishing for a little more momentum, particularly in the emotional arcs and the weaving together of certain threads. I also found myself wanting just a little more depth in parts of the emotional development and some character relationships.
That said, if you love cosy fantasy, fairy tales, charming communities, and stories that feel like curling beneath a blanket with a warm cup of tea while rain taps at the windows, The Moonsingers may be exactly the kind of magic you’re looking for.
The Moonsingers: A Cozy Fairy Tale by Robyn J. Pritzker felt like stepping into a softly lit fairy tale where magic dwells in hidden corners and kindness matters just as much as wonder.
There is something undeniably comforting about this story. Its atmosphere is steeped in whimsy and warmth, with a gentle fairy-tale quality that drew me into its world almost immediately. I especially appreciated the way magic was woven not only through the extraordinary, but also through the smaller, everyday moments, giving the story a lovely sense of heart and nostalgia.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was its cast of characters, particularly Ailsa, Morven, and Weir, the three young girls Ismay tutors throughout the story. They brought so much warmth, personality, and joy to the narrative, and I found myself genuinely looking forward to every scene they appeared in. Their presence added an emotional richness that grounded the whimsy beautifully.
At its heart, The Moonsingers is a story about belonging, community, and caring for the people and places that shape us. The fairy-tale quality felt sincere and earnest, which gave the story a cosy, comforting quality I found genuinely endearing.
While this was a lovely reading experience overall, there were a few elements that kept it from becoming a full five-star read for me. The gentler pace occasionally left me wishing for a little more momentum, particularly in the emotional arcs and the weaving together of certain threads. I also found myself wanting just a little more depth in parts of the emotional development and some character relationships.
That said, if you love cosy fantasy, fairy tales, charming communities, and stories that feel like curling beneath a blanket with a warm cup of tea while rain taps at the windows, The Moonsingers may be exactly the kind of magic you’re looking for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Moonsingers is the kind of book that feels like stepping into a sun‑dappled glen and discovering you’ve wandered into something quietly enchanted. It’s whimsical without being saccharine, heartfelt without ever tipping into melodrama, and full of that gentle, old‑world magic that makes you want to linger on every page.
Ismay is an utterly endearing narrator—earnest, accident‑prone, and so determined to do good even when her best intentions spiral into chaos. Watching her arrive in Glenmaidens, a village that seems to hum with secrets, feels like being welcomed into a story that knows how to wrap you in warmth. The Underhill sisters are a delightfully unruly trio, and their father’s quiet mystery adds just the right amount of intrigue.
The novel shines brightest in its small moments: shared meals, whispered traditions, the hush beneath an ancient oak. When the truth of Glenmaidens’ fairy heritage unfurls, it feels both surprising and inevitable, like a secret you somehow knew in your bones. The tension between modernity and magic—embodied in the looming railway extension and the wonderfully exasperating Hamish Breck—gives the story real emotional stakes without ever losing its charm.
What lingers most is the book’s heart. It’s a story about belonging, about choosing wonder even when it’s risky, and about finding family in the most unexpected places. Ismay’s journey toward confidence, connection, and a bit of romance is as lovely as the glen itself.
Completely enchanting, quietly wise, and full of fairy‑touched whimsy, The Moonsingers is a comfort read with real depth. Perfect for readers who love small‑town magic, found family, and stories that leave you feeling a little more hopeful than when you began.
My thanks to Robyn J Pritzker, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Ismay is an utterly endearing narrator—earnest, accident‑prone, and so determined to do good even when her best intentions spiral into chaos. Watching her arrive in Glenmaidens, a village that seems to hum with secrets, feels like being welcomed into a story that knows how to wrap you in warmth. The Underhill sisters are a delightfully unruly trio, and their father’s quiet mystery adds just the right amount of intrigue.
The novel shines brightest in its small moments: shared meals, whispered traditions, the hush beneath an ancient oak. When the truth of Glenmaidens’ fairy heritage unfurls, it feels both surprising and inevitable, like a secret you somehow knew in your bones. The tension between modernity and magic—embodied in the looming railway extension and the wonderfully exasperating Hamish Breck—gives the story real emotional stakes without ever losing its charm.
What lingers most is the book’s heart. It’s a story about belonging, about choosing wonder even when it’s risky, and about finding family in the most unexpected places. Ismay’s journey toward confidence, connection, and a bit of romance is as lovely as the glen itself.
Completely enchanting, quietly wise, and full of fairy‑touched whimsy, The Moonsingers is a comfort read with real depth. Perfect for readers who love small‑town magic, found family, and stories that leave you feeling a little more hopeful than when you began.
My thanks to Robyn J Pritzker, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I would give this cozy read a 3 stars. I would recommend it to people who enjoy slower paced books, memorable characters, and a sweet romance. Similarly, if you read Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia, then I would also give this story a try.
Ismay was a great character and I came to love her emotional outbursts but I didn't like the decisions she made regarding the railway. To give context, Ismay was dismissed from her last job and although it was serious, I wouldn't say that you would be doomed for all eternity if that happened - it was a mistake.
Because she was stuck on a train, her mind never left trains for the entire book. I think that word might have been mentioned the most. Having a railway into the town was the main conflict point, but I personally had no investment in it. Continuing with the train, Ismay has this brilliant idea to bring it to this town, that she just walked into, that she JUST MET, and starts writing letters to get that train into town. No one wants it. Yet, Ismay needs to make this decision in order for the book to continue, so again, it almost made the story a little dull in that aspect.
The writing was stunning, truly. I loved the verbage and the whimsical feel. The three little girls were charming and had strong personalities but their father fell flat and was extremely one dimensional (which is okay since he wasn't the major plot point or character). The romance was beautiful. I love how sweet it felt and had some yearning to it as well.
Adding to the writing, I could not get over all the stuttering. The 'eh', the breaks in sentences by using --. I talk like that in person all the time, but it's not as natural to read it (just my take).
I think an overall 3 stars still shows that it is worth the read.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.
Ismay was a great character and I came to love her emotional outbursts but I didn't like the decisions she made regarding the railway. To give context, Ismay was dismissed from her last job and although it was serious, I wouldn't say that you would be doomed for all eternity if that happened - it was a mistake.
Because she was stuck on a train, her mind never left trains for the entire book. I think that word might have been mentioned the most. Having a railway into the town was the main conflict point, but I personally had no investment in it. Continuing with the train, Ismay has this brilliant idea to bring it to this town, that she just walked into, that she JUST MET, and starts writing letters to get that train into town. No one wants it. Yet, Ismay needs to make this decision in order for the book to continue, so again, it almost made the story a little dull in that aspect.
The writing was stunning, truly. I loved the verbage and the whimsical feel. The three little girls were charming and had strong personalities but their father fell flat and was extremely one dimensional (which is okay since he wasn't the major plot point or character). The romance was beautiful. I love how sweet it felt and had some yearning to it as well.
Adding to the writing, I could not get over all the stuttering. The 'eh', the breaks in sentences by using --. I talk like that in person all the time, but it's not as natural to read it (just my take).
I think an overall 3 stars still shows that it is worth the read.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for an e-arc. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A beautiful weaving of words into a truly interesting tale. It’s rare I read a book and I can’t figure out the entire tale from the beginning. While yes some hints are there right off, some take time in their unweaving to get to the heart of things. We have a FMC running from her past to unknown future. A new town that feels foreign even though not far away from her family home. Working for a family different from those she’s known and a much less formal way of being than she was used to. Doing what she can to attempt to endear herself to these new people seems to go entirely wrong and causes more issues and an enemy in the local school teacher leaves her struggling with how to correct things. Then there is the song that she hears at night when she leaves her window open and the vivid dreams it causes. Ismay struggles to make senses of things and rushing to make her seemingly errors, right again. Then enter a bureaucrat to add another stone in her shoe wanting to change things that she had hope to endear herself to the towns people, she now knows was a mistake to instigate. Now with only a few weeks, Ismay must try to correct things and make certain her past secrets don’t ruin the home she has found and deal with her growing feelings for the handsome and somewhat awkward bureaucrat, Hammish, as she attempts to make his project difficult to accomplish.
Story seems to be long in getting to where it seems worth reading, but once it does you become enamored with the way the story unfurls and the images that you can see with the wonderfully worded descriptions by the author. Lovely world is laid out and I could have even had more of the story as I am now left wondering about the outcomes of some of the minor characters and what will happen with them.
An arc read
Story seems to be long in getting to where it seems worth reading, but once it does you become enamored with the way the story unfurls and the images that you can see with the wonderfully worded descriptions by the author. Lovely world is laid out and I could have even had more of the story as I am now left wondering about the outcomes of some of the minor characters and what will happen with them.
An arc read
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, NetGalley for the book.
The Moonsingers by Robyn J. Pritzker is a charming entry into the growing cozy fantasy genre, blending folkloric magic, emotional warmth, and whimsical worldbuilding into a story that feels both comforting and immersive. The novel succeeds most in its atmosphere, from the hidden fairy village of Glenmaidens to the gentle sense of wonder woven throughout the narrative, every page feels intentionally crafted to create a soft, enchanting reading experience.
Pritzker’s strongest achievement is the emotional accessibility of her protagonist, Ismay. Rather than presenting a traditionally heroic lead, the story embraces imperfection: Ismay is clumsy, uncertain, and deeply human, which makes her journey toward belonging especially relatable. The found-family dynamics and understated romance add depth without overwhelming the quieter emotional core of the novel.
While readers looking for high-stakes fantasy or intricate political plots may find the pacing gentler than expected, The Moonsingers understands exactly what it wants to be, a cozy, heartfelt escape. Its magic lies less in spectacle and more in mood, tenderness, and the preservation of wonder.
- cottagecore fantasy vibes
- hidden fairy villages
- soft slow-burn romance
- ‘found family heals everything’ energy
- tea, lantern light, forests, and moonlit magic
It has that ‘curl up under a blanket while it rains outside’ feeling that cozy fantasy readers chase constantly. Think Legends & Lattes meets fairy folklore with a dreamy, atmospheric twist.
Overall, The Moonsingers feels like a love letter to softness in fantasy, comforting, whimsical, and emotionally sincere in a way that’s likely to resonate strongly with fans of the genre.
The Moonsingers by Robyn J. Pritzker is a charming entry into the growing cozy fantasy genre, blending folkloric magic, emotional warmth, and whimsical worldbuilding into a story that feels both comforting and immersive. The novel succeeds most in its atmosphere, from the hidden fairy village of Glenmaidens to the gentle sense of wonder woven throughout the narrative, every page feels intentionally crafted to create a soft, enchanting reading experience.
Pritzker’s strongest achievement is the emotional accessibility of her protagonist, Ismay. Rather than presenting a traditionally heroic lead, the story embraces imperfection: Ismay is clumsy, uncertain, and deeply human, which makes her journey toward belonging especially relatable. The found-family dynamics and understated romance add depth without overwhelming the quieter emotional core of the novel.
While readers looking for high-stakes fantasy or intricate political plots may find the pacing gentler than expected, The Moonsingers understands exactly what it wants to be, a cozy, heartfelt escape. Its magic lies less in spectacle and more in mood, tenderness, and the preservation of wonder.
- cottagecore fantasy vibes
- hidden fairy villages
- soft slow-burn romance
- ‘found family heals everything’ energy
- tea, lantern light, forests, and moonlit magic
It has that ‘curl up under a blanket while it rains outside’ feeling that cozy fantasy readers chase constantly. Think Legends & Lattes meets fairy folklore with a dreamy, atmospheric twist.
Overall, The Moonsingers feels like a love letter to softness in fantasy, comforting, whimsical, and emotionally sincere in a way that’s likely to resonate strongly with fans of the genre.
January 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Moonsingers was a book I almost didn’t finish—and that feels wild to admit now. (Hence the 4 not the 5 stars.)
I’m a fast-paced reader, and the first half of this story is slow and deeply rooted in village life. It spends a lot of time establishing Glenmaidens, the home, the villagers, and especially Ismay and the three girls she tutors. At first, I struggled with the pacing, but I couldn’t bring myself to walk away from these characters—particularly the girls, who completely stole my heart with their curiosity and quiet wonder.
There’s a soft sense of magic woven throughout the story, subtle enough that you feel it before you fully understand it. The second half is where everything picks up and the fairytale truly unfolds, centered around the Maiden Tree and touched with fae magic. What surprised me most wasn’t the fantasy element, but the beautiful love story and the deeply moving theme of found family—of discovering connection, belonging, and home beyond the one you were born into.
The writing is rich and immersive. I’ll be honest: I kept a dictionary nearby and had to remind myself this was set in Scotland when certain phrases threw me off, but once I settled into the language, it only added to the charm.
The ending felt intentional—either a perfect stopping point or a gentle opening for more—and I’d be happy either way.
This was a slow burn for me, but one that ended up being incredibly rewarding.
The Moonsingers was a book I almost didn’t finish—and that feels wild to admit now. (Hence the 4 not the 5 stars.)
I’m a fast-paced reader, and the first half of this story is slow and deeply rooted in village life. It spends a lot of time establishing Glenmaidens, the home, the villagers, and especially Ismay and the three girls she tutors. At first, I struggled with the pacing, but I couldn’t bring myself to walk away from these characters—particularly the girls, who completely stole my heart with their curiosity and quiet wonder.
There’s a soft sense of magic woven throughout the story, subtle enough that you feel it before you fully understand it. The second half is where everything picks up and the fairytale truly unfolds, centered around the Maiden Tree and touched with fae magic. What surprised me most wasn’t the fantasy element, but the beautiful love story and the deeply moving theme of found family—of discovering connection, belonging, and home beyond the one you were born into.
The writing is rich and immersive. I’ll be honest: I kept a dictionary nearby and had to remind myself this was set in Scotland when certain phrases threw me off, but once I settled into the language, it only added to the charm.
The ending felt intentional—either a perfect stopping point or a gentle opening for more—and I’d be happy either way.
This was a slow burn for me, but one that ended up being incredibly rewarding.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Robyn J. Pritzker for the opportunity to review this ARC.
The Moonsingers is a fairytale about a young woman, Ismay, who takes the last chance she has at a teaching job in a quiet town. Ismay is full of good intentions when she proposes an extension of the trainline to the town. What she hadn't realised is that some of the townspeople are not who they seem and that includes the three children she has to teach.
This is a lovely tale of found family, finding your purpose and belonging. It is cozy, whimsical and a little mysterious. The character development of Ismay was really good, at first burdened by her previous experiences and slowly finding new ground and new ways to teach the three extraordinary children. Hamish turns her world upside down, just like she does his and their budding love story is sweet and a bit awkward.
At about halfway through the book, the storyline about teaching the children got a bit lost in the background where the storyline about the extension of the trainline took the forefront. I think it is a pity that the teaching took a back burner, because that is where the majority of the character development was centered.
Ismay was relatable in her uncertainty and people pleasing tendencies and the three children were adorable, quirky and a little disturbing at times, especially Weir. Hamish is a sweet man, a bit nerdy and immediately has a soft spot for Ismay.
If you enjoy cozy fantasies by Sarah Beth Durst or Heather Fawcett, this might be just the book for you.
The Moonsingers is a fairytale about a young woman, Ismay, who takes the last chance she has at a teaching job in a quiet town. Ismay is full of good intentions when she proposes an extension of the trainline to the town. What she hadn't realised is that some of the townspeople are not who they seem and that includes the three children she has to teach.
This is a lovely tale of found family, finding your purpose and belonging. It is cozy, whimsical and a little mysterious. The character development of Ismay was really good, at first burdened by her previous experiences and slowly finding new ground and new ways to teach the three extraordinary children. Hamish turns her world upside down, just like she does his and their budding love story is sweet and a bit awkward.
At about halfway through the book, the storyline about teaching the children got a bit lost in the background where the storyline about the extension of the trainline took the forefront. I think it is a pity that the teaching took a back burner, because that is where the majority of the character development was centered.
Ismay was relatable in her uncertainty and people pleasing tendencies and the three children were adorable, quirky and a little disturbing at times, especially Weir. Hamish is a sweet man, a bit nerdy and immediately has a soft spot for Ismay.
If you enjoy cozy fantasies by Sarah Beth Durst or Heather Fawcett, this might be just the book for you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really wanted to love The Moonsingers because cozy fantasy is usually exactly my kind of book. It definitely has all the ingredients I normally enjoy: a quiet countryside setting, faeries, charming small-town dynamics, and a cozy magical atmosphere. The world-building was easily one of my favorite parts, especially the idea of the oak tree serving as a threshold between realms. The Underhill sisters were also adorable and brought a lot of warmth and personality to the story.
That said, the book ended up being a bit slower and less engaging than I expected. While I appreciated the cozy tone, parts of the story dragged for me and occasionally felt a little boring. A lot of my frustration also came from Ismay herself. She’s constantly trying to do the “right” thing, but so many of the problems in the story are caused by her own decisions, and it became frustrating watching her repeatedly create bigger messes for herself and everyone around her.
Still, I did enjoy the emotional core of the story, and the ending pulled things together in a satisfying way. The relationships, sense of community, and gentle magical atmosphere kept me invested enough to finish, even when the pacing struggled for me.
Overall, I’d give The Moonsingers 3 stars. It’s a cozy fantasy with lovely ideas and strong atmosphere, but the slow pacing and frustrating main character kept it from fully working for me.
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
That said, the book ended up being a bit slower and less engaging than I expected. While I appreciated the cozy tone, parts of the story dragged for me and occasionally felt a little boring. A lot of my frustration also came from Ismay herself. She’s constantly trying to do the “right” thing, but so many of the problems in the story are caused by her own decisions, and it became frustrating watching her repeatedly create bigger messes for herself and everyone around her.
Still, I did enjoy the emotional core of the story, and the ending pulled things together in a satisfying way. The relationships, sense of community, and gentle magical atmosphere kept me invested enough to finish, even when the pacing struggled for me.
Overall, I’d give The Moonsingers 3 stars. It’s a cozy fantasy with lovely ideas and strong atmosphere, but the slow pacing and frustrating main character kept it from fully working for me.
Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC. This reflects my honest opinion.
The Moonsingers is a cosy fairy story following Ismay after an unfortunate accident has her unable to find another teaching post without references.
Ismay's circumstances and personality described as "Unbiddable" have her travelling a far corner of the country to a small enchanting village to become a tutor to three strange but spirited girls. There she aims to help bring them from being somewhat ostracised via application to extend the train line through the village. Her meddling brings an enthusiastic train bureaucrat Hamish Breck and a number of unintended consequences least of which is the growing affection between Ismay and Hamish.
3.25 stars rounded down.
There is much about this book that is delightful. The language, the setting, the characters and their growth are all wonderful. Ismay's personal development and self acceptance is a central part and being "Unbiddable" becomes a source of strength to her which the author has written really nicely.
The downsides? The pacing of the beginning was a bit too slow, and I felt like it took a while to care about what the characters were doing.
The ending was also rather weak and abrupt in a way that felt like there was half a page missing. The middle and majority of the conclusion was good though, and as a cosy story with emphasis on setting and characters it's worth a read. The romance was also really nicely done.
The Moonsingers is a cosy fairy story following Ismay after an unfortunate accident has her unable to find another teaching post without references.
Ismay's circumstances and personality described as "Unbiddable" have her travelling a far corner of the country to a small enchanting village to become a tutor to three strange but spirited girls. There she aims to help bring them from being somewhat ostracised via application to extend the train line through the village. Her meddling brings an enthusiastic train bureaucrat Hamish Breck and a number of unintended consequences least of which is the growing affection between Ismay and Hamish.
3.25 stars rounded down.
There is much about this book that is delightful. The language, the setting, the characters and their growth are all wonderful. Ismay's personal development and self acceptance is a central part and being "Unbiddable" becomes a source of strength to her which the author has written really nicely.
The downsides? The pacing of the beginning was a bit too slow, and I felt like it took a while to care about what the characters were doing.
The ending was also rather weak and abrupt in a way that felt like there was half a page missing. The middle and majority of the conclusion was good though, and as a cosy story with emphasis on setting and characters it's worth a read. The romance was also really nicely done.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Author, Robyn J Pritzker, paints a beautiful picture of the Glens where Ismay finds herself after departing her prior home on not so good terms. Ismay tends to be a reckless and impulsive individual that finds herself in difficult situations that challenge her moral compass. Throughout Ismay's journey, readers will grow to love her character and even relate with her impulsive decisions made on behalf of those she loves and cares for. While Ismay originally game to the Glens to tutor three outcasted children, she finds herself involved in a new transportation development that could mean the end of all fairies in the Glens. What will Ismay sacrifice to protect those she loves and will the fairies stay or go?
The Moonsingers by Robyn J Pritzker was an enjoyable read. The writing style reminded me of L.M. Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables. In saying that, it felt like it was written decades ago. Pritzker has a unique writing style that required a bit more focus to engage with, in my opinion. This isn't a negative, but it could potentially eliminate some readers that are simply reading to enjoy without the mental energy, like myself.
The storyline was entertaining and the characters were likeable and relatable. If you enjoy fairy stories, love and misunderstood characters, then this book is probably for you. Enjoy!
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the ARC of The Moonsingers by Robyn J Pritzker.
The Moonsingers by Robyn J Pritzker was an enjoyable read. The writing style reminded me of L.M. Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables. In saying that, it felt like it was written decades ago. Pritzker has a unique writing style that required a bit more focus to engage with, in my opinion. This isn't a negative, but it could potentially eliminate some readers that are simply reading to enjoy without the mental energy, like myself.
The storyline was entertaining and the characters were likeable and relatable. If you enjoy fairy stories, love and misunderstood characters, then this book is probably for you. Enjoy!
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for the ARC of The Moonsingers by Robyn J Pritzker.
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